Electrical dehydrator



Aug. 13, 1929, w. o. EDDY 1,724,263

ELECTRI CAL DEHYDRATOR Filed July 5, 1928 3min M'Hiam 0. Eddy Patented a e, 1929. p 1,724,263 UNITED STATES PAT ENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM o. EDDY, or LOS Aussies, camronnm.

ELECTRICAL DEHYDRATOR. Application filed my 5, 1928. Serial No. 290,423.

This invention relates to the type of detween being in vertical planes. the flow of hydratorcommonly used in the dehydration current is in the same line with the falling or breaking of petroleum emulsions, and rewater particles, and the chains of descendlates more particularly to improvements in ing water globules form conductors between '5 such dehydrators, rendering them more ecothe electrodes, which will, of course, pronomical in their construction and more efii-' duce short circuits, rendering the organizacient in their operation. tion inoperable.

' It is well known to those familiar with It will also be apparent that if the electhe art to which this invention relates that trodes are in'vertical planes, the lines of m petroleum emulsions are nothing more nor force therebetween being horizontal, will be less than a colloidal mixture or suspension in line with the planes of BS oremulsion, of finely divided particles of water, in oil. which always tends tostratify and will es- Suchemulsions, may also contain a small tablish short circuits between the electrode amount of sediment-in the form of waxes plates. in horizontal planes. 15 and mineral salts, and sand, whichfsediment, It is therefore necessary in dehydrators of by itself or in combination with the suspendthe two general classes above described to ed water, is commonly designated as BS or maintain a continual agitation or circulation bottom sediment. during the treatment of the emulsion, and Due to the great degree of subdivision of it is obvious that such agitation retards the i 20 the water particles in the oil, the problem settling. of the water which has been released 7 of its extraction has met with cons1derable by the electrostatic action, besides adding difficulty of solution, and while I am aware tothe expense and complication of the sysof the fact that numerous electrical dehytem.

r drators have been developed for this pur It is also well known to those familiar pose and have metwith varying degrees of with this artthat'the so-called wet emulsuccess, this invention relates to particular sions which contain a large proportion of improvements in the construction of such defree water must, for the most efiicient h drators, whereby the breaking of the emultreatment, he treated somewhat differently SlOIl may be more efiiciently carried out. than a dry emulsion. The dry emulsions,

The" general construction and-principles 'being a more perfect colloidal suspension upon -which electrical dehydrators' of this containing no free water, are more difiitype operate comprise the use of a'plurality cult to break (the water contained therein of electrodes, which are suspended within being more finely subdivided, the particles the emulsion or between which the emulsion are naturally more difficult to be brought 35 circulates, during which suspension or clrtogether). v culation an electric potential of high voltage It is desirable, therefore, to employ two is maintained between the electrodes. different types of dehydrators for wet and The particles of water, when subjected to dry emulsions, the former .being arranged the great electrostatic force of this mainto permit a rapid settling of the free 40 tained voltage, tend to unit or agglomeratc, water. not forcing it to pass through the enforming globules of suflicient'sizeto be cartire field, and the latter being arranged to ried'to the bottom of the dehydrator by the prevent the globules of water which are force of gravity. The oil, of course, rises formed by the action of the dehydrator from to the top and is withdrawn as'finished or settlingtojo ra'pidlvthus permitting a greatdry oil, the water in'turn being withdrawn er accumulation of theminute water partifrom the bottom of the dehydrator. clesto form globules and accept'the electric In all of the dehydrators with which harge, i

am familiar, the mentioned electrodes are In the event that an electrical dehydrator either horizontal or vertical, and I ha of the class above described should short found that either of these arrangements of, o t, d e t th ti d Short circuiting, 1 6

electrodes is attended by certaindifliculties, the potential across the field. is lost, and it tending to produce 5 ort circuits in the deis necessary in this case to replace all of the hydrator. J short circuiting liquid withinthe field with 55 Ifhe electrodes are arranged in horidry or treated oil, hich makes desirable. I zontal planes, the lines of force therebe-.. for the economical and eflicient opera- .of the liquid hol ing capacity to the dehydrator field area as small as ossible.

It has been aprimar object 0 my inven-' tion to overcome the a ove mentioned diiliculties in dehydrator construction by an improved and sim 1e or anization' in which the electrostatic fie d of orce is of varying intensity in either a vertical or horizontal plane, and in which the lines of force of greatest magnitude are at an acute angle with the horizontal. It will thus be seen that the lines of force are neit ier arallel to the stratified layers of bottom'sedune nt, nor

are they parallel with the chains of water formed during its precipitation after release from the emulsion. I i

To accomplish'this result I employ one electrode which is substantially horizontal and a second electrode which is arranged at an angle less than 90 relative to the horizontal electrode. from the detailed description of this invention that this arrangement provides means for developing two or more angularly disposed fields of force, the intensity of which varies relative to a perpendicular plane, thus obviating emulsion during its treatment.

It is a further object of my invention to develop a dehydrator which may be ciliciently and effectively used upon either a wet or a dry emulsion merely by altering the course of circulation of the emulsion through the dehydrator shell.

It is a still further object of this invention to develop a treatcr which hasa large ratio o f field to capacity. This result is accomplished by forming the shell of two conical sections which are oppositely disposedand converge toa substantially horizontal central lplane where they are united. It will also e note'dthat, b disposing an.electrode plate in the plane of intersectionpf the two cones, this cone construction provides the above mentioned angular field, as will. be

clearlyexplained.

hereinafter more Another object of this invention is to developa dehydrator, in which there is a minitheom y mum vertical drop throughwhicb the water released from the emulsion in the electrostatic field must descend .until it comes in contact with "a metallic surface. of course, also accom lished by the arrangement'of conical shel s -mentioned above, it being well known that the water will d scend more rapidly while flowing over a sloping metallic surface than will be the case in the event. it is falling the same vertical distance through a comparatively viscousoil. Another difliculty frequently e erienced in the use of closed electric dehy raters of .used is encountered in the high potential electhe walls of the dehy- This is,

the in ti'odiifction o tricgeurrent through It will appear hereinafter the necessity of agitating the .vided by a .cross following description of the accompanying drawings, which are chosen for the purpose of illustration only, and in which Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of a dehydrator, embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view corresponding to Fig. 1, but with the upper cover section removed, and

Fig. 8' is a partial sectional elevation corresponding to Fig. 1, but showing a modified form of central electrode.

More particularly describing the invention as herein illustrated, reference numeral 11 indicates a dehydrator-shell, comprising an upper conical section 12, and a lower conical section 13, the latter of which terminates in a substantially e lindrical water chamber or reservoir 14. '1 e shell may be provided with any suitable means of base support, as indicated at 15. The conical sections 12 and 13 are so condesirable feature, both i structed and mounted that the'walls'of the shell converge toward and are connected in a substantially horizontal plane, and an electrode plate. 16, which is preferably circular in form, is suspended substantially in the plane of intersection of the two conical sections, the periphery of the 1 late being spaced from the inner walls of t to chamber. The conducting plate l6 may be. supported in any preferred manner, as by means of the conducting rod or shaft 17. which is susnded from an insulator 18, the insulator m turn-I being supported in any preferred; manner, such as b means of the three adjustable bolts 19, roni the top ofthe upper section 12. The system comprisedof parts nd 19 forms a rigid support, centralizing t e electrode.

An emulsion-intake pipe 20 is illustrated as entering the chamber near the to of upper section 12, and is adapted to de iver untreated emulsionto themanifold of delivery pipes 21 from which the emulsion may be distributed into the chamber through the eight points of entrance profitting 22 at each corner of the square manifold, as is perhaps best illustrated in Fig. 2.

A skimming pipe 23 is mounted beneath the electrode 16 in a manner such that it may be used in the treatment of dry emulsion for removing the treated oil from thechamher. If, however, the emulsion is one of the so-called wet type which contains an appreciable amount of free water, this pipe is used as an inlet pipe, as will be explained later in this specification.

A so called gas outlet pipe 24is mounted in the apex of the upper cone 12. This gas 7 outlet pipe normally (in the dehydration of wet emulsions) serves only to remove the gases resulting from the preheating and electrostatic action upon the oil, and is connected with a finished oil outlet pipe 25, as shown in Fig. 1. .If, however, a dry oil is being treated as mentioned above, the ipe 24 is employed as a finished oil outlet,- rom the dehydrator.

For the purpose of providing a compact unit, and to eliminate the necessity of bringing the high,potential circuit through the treatershell, a transformer 26, the case of which it is understood may be madeof insulating material if so desired is supported within the shell in any suitable manner, as

by means of a shelf or plate 27*, mounted upon the emulsion delivery pi es 21, which in turn may be suspended rom the top section 12 by means such as the bolts 28.

The low potential leads 29 for the primary of the transformer are contained in a, suitable conduit 30, which extends through a packing gland 31 and into the transformer case.

One side of the secondary coil in the transformer 26 is connected with the shell 11 by means of a conductor 32, and the of the BS.

other side of the secondary is connected through a conductor 33 with the electric plate support 17.

When a difference in potential is established between the electrode plate 16 and the shell 11, as by the excitation of the primary in transformer 26, an electrostatic field is established between the periphery of. the electrode plate 16 and the inner surface of the shell 11, somewhat as shown by the shaded sections indicated by the letter F in Fig. 1.

It will thus be apparent that during the circulation of emulsion through the region of electric discharge identified above, the emulsion flows through two distinct fields of varying intensity, each of which is substafftiallv perpendicular to the direction of fluid, and neither of which is in line. with either the line of precipitation of water globules or the line of stratification The electrode 16 may comprise a single circular flat conducting plate, in which case the two major peri heral fields of force mentioned above an indicated at F--F in with the skimming pipe oil in pipe 24 entering such flanges arrangedin a stepped relation from the upper or lower sur- 16. Such a field is indi-' 3. In the event the men- (not shown) face of the plate cated at G in Fig.

tioned flange 34 is used it should be provided with a pluralityQof apertures 35 to prevent the accumulation of gas below the electrode plate 16.

In the treatment of very was mentioned above, it is culate the emulsion in such a manner that the free water is permitted to settle before the emulsion is brought entirely through the region of the above mentioned fields of force, and that water which is freed by the initial action at the lower shaded portion ofthe field settles without the necessity of travelling through the, upperfield.

In this event, the skimming pipe 23, as was mentioned above, or feed pipe, and pipe for the finished oil.

On the other hand, in the event a very dry emulsion is being treated, it is necessary to subject the emulsion to the most intense electrostatic action before permitting any possible accumulationof free water formed by such action to settle. In the latter case, the emulsion is introduced through the intake 20 and the treated oil is skimmed off through the pipe 23.

The valve organization indicated at 36 provides convenient means for readily adapting this dehydrator to use uponeither a wet or a dry emulsion. An emulsion inlet pipe 37 is connected'through a T-fitting with the delivery pipe turn is connected by means of a T-fitting 23. Valves 38 and 39 may be used to direct the flow of emulsion into either of the respective pipes 20 or 23, and valve 40 is used to prevent the mixture of the emulsion in pipe .25 when valve 38 is closed with the finished the outlet pipe 25.

The water reservoir 14 is provided with a gauge tap 41 and a main drain 42, and both upper and bottom sections 12 and 13 of the shell 11 may be provided with man holesfas indicated at 43 in Fig. 1. For convenience of assembly, a trap doorway (not shown) may be placed in the electrode plate 16.

It will be apparent scription that I have 24 acts as the outlet developed an electric wet-emulsions as desirable to c1ris used as a delivery from the foregoing deemulsion dehydrator which is compact and eflicient, and embodies such features of novelty as an electrode construction whereby angular electrostatic fields are maintained, the combination feature of being adaptable stood that the scope of confined to tl lar cross section;

for'use either with a wet or a dry emulsion, thefeature of enclosin the transformer within the shell, etc., and although this description has been limited to a single embodiment of my invention, it willbe under- 16 precise constructionset forth, but includes any chan es which fairly come within ,the spirit of the appended claims. d

I claim as my invention: 1. An apparatus leumicmulsions eomprislng: a shell having converging walls lar cross section; an electrode ositioned substantially in the plane defined by thqvertex of said angular section; and means for establishing a difference in potential between said electrode and said shell. v

2. An apparatus for dehydratin leum emulsions comprising: a shelf converging walls forming asurface of angua plate-like electrode .p sitioned substantially in the plane defined by the vertex of said angular section; and means for establishing a difference in poten tial between said electrode and said shell.

3. An apparatus for dehydrating petroleum emulsons comprising: a shell having converging walls forming a surface of angupetro:

- lar cross section an electrode ositioned substantially in the plane define of said angular section; and means for establlshing a difference in potential betwen said electrode and said shell, said last mentioned by the vertex means including a transformer contained within said shel apparatus for dehydratin petro- .leum emulsions comprising: a shel having oonvergingwalls forming a surface of angular cross section; a plate-like electrode ositioned substantially in the plane define b the vertex of said angular section; an auxi lary electrode mounted upon said late-like electrode and extending angularl; therefrom toward aninner and means for establishing a difference in I potential between said electrode and said shell.

,5.An electrode organization for use in the de ydratlon of petroleum emulsions comprisingfa substantially horizontal electrode platean annular electrode spaced from the periphery of said plate, the inner surface of angular in cross a said annular electrode section and the faces the plane defined b and-means for ,estah potentlal between-said electrodes.

being thereof conver said electrode p to ate;

- horizontal plane; a plate-like electrode "p081- the invention is not for dehydrating petroforming a surface of angus having surface of said'shell;

lishing a difieren ce current through tioned substantially in said plane of intersection, the periphery thereof being spaced from said shell; and means for establishing a difference in otential between said electrode and said s ell.

An apparatus for dehydrating petroleum emulsions comprising: a shell formed of substantially conical sections, oppositely disposed, the walls thereof convergin to -ward and intersecting in a substantiall horizontal plane; a plate-like electrode POSI- tioned in said plane of intersection, the pleri'phery thereof being spaced from said e potential between said electrode and said shell; means for delivering petroleum emulsion into said shell; means for conducting water from said shell; and means for conducting treated oil from said shell.

8 An apparatus for dehydrating petroleum emulsions comprising: a shell formed of substantially conical sections, oppositely disposed, the walls thereof converging to ward and intersecting in a substantiall horizontal plane; an electrode plate positioned in said plane of intersection, the periphery thereof bein spaced from said shell; means for establis ing a difference in potential between said electrode plate and said shell; means fordelivering etroleum emulsion into said shellbelow sai electrode plate; means for conducting water from said shell; and means above said electrode plate for conducting treated oil from said shell.

An apparatus for dehydrating petroleum emulsions comprising: a shell formed of substantially conlcal sections; oppositely disposed, the walls thereof convergm toward and intersecting in a substantiall horizontal plane; an electrode plate positioned in'said. plane of intersection, the periphery thereof bein spaced from said shell; means for estab ishing a difl'erence in potential between said electrode plate and said shell; means for delivering troleum emulsion into said shell above sa1 electrode plate; means for conductin water from said shell; and means for con ucting treated oil from said-shell, iaid last mentgped means com rising a s 1mm: 1 ow said electrose nlate. ns p P6 10. An apparatus for dehydrating petroleum emulsions comprising: a shell formed of substantially conical sections, oppositely disposed, the walls thereof convergm toward and intersecting in a substantially horizontal plane a plate-like electrode positioned in saidplane of intersection, the periphery thereof being s seed from said apparatus for dehydrating petro-lr ishell uleum emulsions com and means for esta Iishing a diflerence in tential between said electrode and 'said she comprising a transformer mounted shell, insulated conductors for deliv- -mary0f said tr ormer, and condu said shell to the Eli-- means for establishing a difference in v ineans for connecting opposite poles of the secondary of said transformers to said plate electrode and said shell.

11. An electric organization for use in the dehydration of petroleumemulsions comprising: a substantially horizontal electrode plate; an angularly extending flange formed on said plate; an annular electrode spaced from the periphery of said plate, the inner surface of said'annular electrode being angular in cross section, the faces thereof converging to the plane defined by said plate electrode; and means for establishing a difference in potential between said electrodes.

12. An apparatus for dehydrating petroleum emulsions comprising: a shell formed of substantially conical sections, oppositely disposed, the walls thereof converging toward and intersecting in a substantially horizontal plane; an electrode plate positioned in said plane of intersectiomfthe pee riphery thereof being spaced from said shell; means for establishing a difference in potential between said electrode plate and said shell; means for optionally delivering petroleum emulsion into said shell above or below said electrode; oppositely disposed means for conducting treated oil from said shell above and below said electrode; and means for conducting water from said shell.

13. An apparatus for dehydrating petroleum emulsions comprising: a shell; a substantially horizontal electrode plate positioned in said shell; means for establishing a difference in potential between said electrode plate and said shell; means for optionally delivering petroleum emulsion into said shell above or below said electrode; oppositely disposed means for conducting treated oil from said shell above or below said electrode; and means for conducting water from said shell.

14. A method of dehydrating a petroleum emulsion which comprises: circulatin such emulsion between electricall charged electrodes so positioned that t e electrostatic lines of force of greatest intensity diverge at an acute angle with the horizontal.

In testimon whereof, I- have hereunto set my hand at os Angeles, California, this 21st day of April, 1928. 1

WILLIAM O. EDDY, 

